Similans update!

[Ringo]

The divers on Le Mahe yesterday saw a whaleshark and 4 mantas on 1 dive at Koh Bon!!! Lucky fishes!

 

[stevenl]

And in general the good news: the weather has improved a lot the last few days, the visibility is improving as well. And it looks like the thermoclines are disappearing.

 

[scubaeric]

Woo Hoo! Happy to hear the good news! Been stuck in SF all day, but getting back on the plane in 2 hours!

 

[Zippsy]

Joking aside, though, I'm advising people that shorties are not enough protection for a series of multiple-dive days with the water temps as they are currently. Besides, a full suit will protect you from any stinging stuff you might come into contact with in the Andaman waters.

Nature gave me able protection from cold water so I'll test it on Saturday. Can't wait.

 

[similandiver]

Yesterday's diving was great.

Viz was 20 meters plus at Christmas point, North point was incredible. Water temp was back up to 27 and heaps of fish from all the recent plankton!!!

 

[Bowmouth]

Does anybody have a reason for the colder water temperatures (aside from thermoclines)?

I'm pretty sure it's got something to do with the El Nino and La Nina cycle. Watertemps are currently improving a bit and so is the vis but I guess that it will get cold again before too long.

 

[Ringo]

Keith, DM on The Junk, reckons they saw 8 different Mantas at Koh Bon on their last trip!!

 

[Zippsy]

I know, we were right in front of him and my guess was at least six different mantas. I tried to tell from their markings as shown on my photos but I'm not that good a photgrapher.

and regarding the water temp, we had a few thermoclines at about 25 meters but only on a few dives. Normal temp was 27-28 and it twice got as cold as 24 down deep. My 1.5mm shortie and natural insulation worked fine but I'm glad the whole dive was not at 24C.

 

[Bowmouth]

Keith, DM on The Junk, reckons they saw 8 different Mantas at Koh Bon on their last trip!!

At the moment FANTASTIC manta action at Ko Bon. We even saw a small whaleshark as well in combination with mantas underwater. Water temps are back to about 27 Celcius but vis is still a bit low with an average of about 12-15 meter only on most sites.

 

[Batfish]

Customers coming back the last couple of days have been raving about Koh Bon. The Nautica spent all day there with (according to the guests) 8 - 10 Mantas on every dive! Darn, I gotta win me the lottery and get outa this office

Queen Scuba reported a whaleshark last trip as well as Mantas.